Total economic contribution of the private, recreation-based aquaculture industry in the West, The: a summary

Abstract

The private, recreation-based aquaculture industry (often referred to as the aquacultural suppliers of recreational fish, or ASRF industry) provides fish for recreational outlets such as private fishing clubs and dude ranches, public reservoirs and streams, and private backyard ponds. Although most people know about the public stocking agencies such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and state-level wild-life agencies, no information about the economic scope or contribution of the ASRF in the Western United States has been documented. In order to address this gap in the literature, between 2007 and 2010, researchers in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University and at UC Davis collected data from ASRF producers, their direct customers (recreational fisheries), and recreational anglers in the Western -- United States This data was compiled and, in conjunction with IMPLAN input-output software, was used to estimate the economic contribution of the ASRF industry in that region. The results of this exercise are summarized here in order to increase exposure to the general public.